The Trust were delighted to be specially invited to take part in an event at The House of Commons on 9th June 2009 led by the Deputy Speaker, The Rt Hon. Sylvia Heal to evaluate the ‘Giving Short Breaks a Little Extra’ holiday scheme.  The scheme enabled families from the London Borough of Enfield to take advantage of The Family Fund discounted holiday scheme at Haven Holiday Parks.  The Trust’s staff supported the family and their disabled child during the holiday.  The following Press Release gives more details of the scheme.

New way for local authorities to give disabled children and their families a holiday break

Local authorities are being urged to offer disabled children and their families a rare chance to take a holiday together as a whole family through "Giving Short Breaks a little extra". This wrap-around programme combines local authority funding for short breaks with expert support from disabled children's charities The Family Fund, The Wilf Ward Family Trust, and KIDS Direct Short Breaks.

A pilot scheme with the London Borough of Enfield's Joint Children's Services earlier this year enabled families to enjoy short breaks at Haven holiday parks in North Yorkshire supported by The Wilf Ward Family Trust. It was a tremendous success and the programme is now being extended to all local authorities across England who are passionate about enhancing short break provision for disabled children.

As a result, families with disabled children will get the care and support they need to enable them to enjoy short breaks while taking a holiday together in Haven holiday parks in North Yorkshire and Sussex.

Without this additional support for their disabled child, it is difficult for families with disabled children to holiday as a whole family.

Janet Leach, Head of Enfield Children's Services, said: "For many families with a disabled child, the idea of going on holiday 'all together' can seem impossible. The pilot has provided families with a real opportunity to do something 'ordinary' - enjoy holiday time together. Working with the Family Fund and The Wilf Ward Family Trust has been fabulous, a real partnership and genuine sharing of skills and expertise."

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